Hi, my name is Natalee Highman and my son Alvin Carter is my best friend. Now some of you who don't know me might say "Natalee has a son?" Yes, he has four legs, and is a beagle mix. My human-dog, Alvin Carter, changed my life, and I would not want to have it any other way. I know there are other dog-parents that feel the same.

When people bring dogs into their homes they soon become their children. I like to call them "dog-parents." It's a true thing, I see it all the time. We dress them up, bring them everywhere, and they become our best friend. We all see the changes dogs bring into human lives.

1. Stress Relief- Animals in general will always bring stress relief to humans, but dogs know when we feel bad, or when we are sad. They tend to feel what their owner is feeling.

2. Emotional and Social Support- Having a dog can help people cope with what they are individually dealing with. Studies show when people feel rejected, having a dog will help them because they have that constant best friend. Dogs will never leave their owners, and they always put their owners first (now, there are some dogs that expect the owner to take up for them) but for the most part they will put up their best fight. Dogs will always be there.

3. Always having a best friend that will never break your heart- Humans dealing with humans; it doesn't always work out. Having a dog in your life is a guarantee of a best friend for the rest of your life. The bond you create with a dog is unlike any other, one paw at a time, they melt our hearts.

As a dog owner, I understand the love and compassion that these loving creatures bring to our lives, but how do humans and dogs connect so well? First, us "dog-parents" obviously view our dog as a child, as a family member. According to John Archer, University of Central Lancashire, over 40 percent of dog owners see their dog as a family member. They don't see the dog species as different than humans. Dogs are extraordinary because of how they pay attention to their owner. They understand how their "parent" feels, when they're going to get taken on a walk, or even when they're in trouble. As a dog-parent, we hate to see our child in trouble.

Dog parent or not, dogs will continue to changes humans lives throughout time. Just like Alvin Carter changed mine, and how all these other dogs changed their owner's life. Having a dog helps with emotional and social anxiety, stress relief, and gives you a long time best friend who will never break your heart, but rather leave a paw print there.